My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring

cake is

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for the

and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should

to be a little

must sing the ‘Happy

her eyes

must blow out the

her head to indicate to Julian that

sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped up

a little girl who wasn’t

hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the

you!”

dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like

the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for

most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry

I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s

regretting bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s

turned and headed

was inside her apartment and about to

was propped open by a

Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on

on

explaining himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before

you’ve been

took two steps

stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie

suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your

her, forcing her back

had no idea what she

hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way to